The Sleeping Beauty
★★★★★ 5/5
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
24 November - 31 December 2022
★★★★★ 5/5
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
24 November - 31 December 2022
From the moment you enter the Queen’s auditorium, you know that you are in for a proper LOCAL pantomime.. The front cloth shows us a pleasingly detailed map of Essex, and it is fun to pick out all the familiar place names in the area.
This year’s chosen story is The Sleeping Beauty. Fairy Falala-la-la-la-la gives us a swift run down of what to expect when we enter the kingdom of King ‘Enry the H’eigth of ‘Ornchurch, a land where an ‘H’ is never used unless in the wrong place!
His daughter, Princess Raury, is about to be christened, but the bad fairy, Vampira Vanity has not been invited, and, unhappy at this slight, will re-appear on Raury’s 18th Birthday to have her revenge, putting Raury to sleep after she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. Only the kiss of a handsome prince, in this case, Romford Prince, who is not actually a prince, will wake her again, some 500 hundred years later, after he has himself recovered from being turned to a pillar of stone!
The infant Princess Raury is looked after by her Super Nanny (“I’m not your granny") who’s baby minding methods are somewhat boisterous to say the least.
So the scene is set for a fast paced romp through this timeless tale. A cast of 8, all of whom double as instrumentalists too, work with tireless and abundant energy to entertain and enthrall the audience. The pace never flags for a minute. The script by Andrew Pollard is full of great local references, and is very funny. He is very lucky to have a brilliant Dame in the shape of Dominic Gee-Burns, who in a series of ever more outrageous costumes literally powers the show along.
This year’s chosen story is The Sleeping Beauty. Fairy Falala-la-la-la-la gives us a swift run down of what to expect when we enter the kingdom of King ‘Enry the H’eigth of ‘Ornchurch, a land where an ‘H’ is never used unless in the wrong place!
His daughter, Princess Raury, is about to be christened, but the bad fairy, Vampira Vanity has not been invited, and, unhappy at this slight, will re-appear on Raury’s 18th Birthday to have her revenge, putting Raury to sleep after she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. Only the kiss of a handsome prince, in this case, Romford Prince, who is not actually a prince, will wake her again, some 500 hundred years later, after he has himself recovered from being turned to a pillar of stone!
The infant Princess Raury is looked after by her Super Nanny (“I’m not your granny") who’s baby minding methods are somewhat boisterous to say the least.
So the scene is set for a fast paced romp through this timeless tale. A cast of 8, all of whom double as instrumentalists too, work with tireless and abundant energy to entertain and enthrall the audience. The pace never flags for a minute. The script by Andrew Pollard is full of great local references, and is very funny. He is very lucky to have a brilliant Dame in the shape of Dominic Gee-Burns, who in a series of ever more outrageous costumes literally powers the show along.
Every member of the cast really counts, as there is no chorus. If someone leaves the stage, they are straight back on playing at least two instruments each. I was particularly impressed by Laura Sillet, as Fairy Falalala, who not only sings really beautifully, with her fine, clear voice, but also plays flute and saxophone with equal skill, often whilst dancing too!
Her bad fairy rival, Hannah Woodward, as Vampira, clad in black, green and diamanté also displays powerful vocals and really commands the stage, yet also finding the time to play keys and other instruments too.
The cast are all so versatile, and never for a moment put a foot wrong. You sit there wondering how they remember it all, and when to do what. It is very impressive.
Another virtue of this very entertaining and colourful production, directed by Caroline Leslie, is that it is not over-long. Each act lasts about an hour, so there is no chance for the younger members of the audience to get bored. It is also a real treat to see some very talented actors, who may not necessarily be well known. Some have appeared in other shows at the Queens during the year, and are now being given the chance to let their hair down, have lots of fun, and show just how accomplished they all are at the same time.
The sets and costumes, designed by Dora Schweitzer, manage to be witty and eye catching, whilst not drowning the cast in too much scenery, and one scene flows quickly into the next. Tom Self provides catch tunes, and his entire team have done him proud with musically very high standards indeed.
The Sleeping Beauty is a smashing afternoon or evening out at a super theatre, at prices that won’t burn a huge hole in your pocket. Highly recommended for a real family outing this holiday season, until December 31st.
Review by Andrew Walters
The sets and costumes, designed by Dora Schweitzer, manage to be witty and eye catching, whilst not drowning the cast in too much scenery, and one scene flows quickly into the next. Tom Self provides catch tunes, and his entire team have done him proud with musically very high standards indeed.
The Sleeping Beauty is a smashing afternoon or evening out at a super theatre, at prices that won’t burn a huge hole in your pocket. Highly recommended for a real family outing this holiday season, until December 31st.
Review by Andrew Walters
In a magical fairy kingdom, happy plans are underway for Princess Raury’s christening. But a bad fairy has been missed off the invite list and descends on the party casting a wicked curse. So, when 18-year-old Raury pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, and falls asleep for many years, it takes bravery and courage to wake up and face a very different world. But the bad fairy is up to more mischief, and Raury is soon setting off to the rescue, aided by her zany Nanny and family, to ensure true love can find its way…
Everyone can enjoy this festive treat with QTH offering several access performances; an audio described performance on Saturday 10 December at 2pm, a British Sign Language interpreted performance on Saturday 10 December at 6.30pm, a Dementia Friendly performance on Thursday 15 December at 1.30pm, and a Relaxed (SEN/Autism Friendly) performance on Thursday 15 December at 5.30pm. For the best experience when booking an access performance, speak to the theatre’s Box Office team on 01708 443333, or email boxoffice@queens-theatre.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch 24 November – 31 December 2022. Tickets are £13 - £34 (plus 65p QNext Fee per ticket) with discounts for groups and schools. To book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333, visit the theatre in person, or go online at queens-theatre.co.uk
Queen's Theatre Hornchurch would like to thank their Principal Sponsor McDonalds Romford.
24 November – 31 December 2022
A Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch pantomime
SLEEPING BEAUTY by Andrew Pollard
Original music and lyrics by Tom Self
Directed by Caroline Leslie
Set & Costume Design by Dora Schweitzer
Lighting Design by Stephen Pemble
Choreography by Lee Crowley
Costume Supervisor Rachel Perry
Executive Producer Mathew Russell
Ben Barrow as Proppa
Anna Fordham as Princess Raury
Dominic Gee-Burch as Super Nanny
Jerome Lincoln as Romford Prince
Marta Miranda as Prim
Laura Sillett as Fairy Falalalalalalalala.
Alex Tomkins as King ‘Enry.
Hannah Woodward as Vampira
Everyone can enjoy this festive treat with QTH offering several access performances; an audio described performance on Saturday 10 December at 2pm, a British Sign Language interpreted performance on Saturday 10 December at 6.30pm, a Dementia Friendly performance on Thursday 15 December at 1.30pm, and a Relaxed (SEN/Autism Friendly) performance on Thursday 15 December at 5.30pm. For the best experience when booking an access performance, speak to the theatre’s Box Office team on 01708 443333, or email boxoffice@queens-theatre.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch 24 November – 31 December 2022. Tickets are £13 - £34 (plus 65p QNext Fee per ticket) with discounts for groups and schools. To book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333, visit the theatre in person, or go online at queens-theatre.co.uk
Queen's Theatre Hornchurch would like to thank their Principal Sponsor McDonalds Romford.
24 November – 31 December 2022
A Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch pantomime
SLEEPING BEAUTY by Andrew Pollard
Original music and lyrics by Tom Self
Directed by Caroline Leslie
Set & Costume Design by Dora Schweitzer
Lighting Design by Stephen Pemble
Choreography by Lee Crowley
Costume Supervisor Rachel Perry
Executive Producer Mathew Russell
Ben Barrow as Proppa
Anna Fordham as Princess Raury
Dominic Gee-Burch as Super Nanny
Jerome Lincoln as Romford Prince
Marta Miranda as Prim
Laura Sillett as Fairy Falalalalalalalala.
Alex Tomkins as King ‘Enry.
Hannah Woodward as Vampira